The U.S. version has big shoes to fill!
I just finished the entire season of the Aussie original, and only the first of the American has aired. I must say the Aussie version is better so far and most realistic.
shareThe US version doesn't come close to this! I am watching both back to back and the production and acting is far superior on the Australian version than the US. Hecto is greatly miscast in the US version as is his cousin and couple whose kid was slapped.
shareI agree, except for one thing: the actress portraying the mother of the slapped kid is the same one in both series, but she and the writing in general are better in the Australian version overall.
shareJust watching this and I wondered if they were the same. Thanks. I will have to look her up. What is interesting is how the character seems so different in both series.
I disagree about the production. I'd say the production, coloring and lighting of the US version is much better. I'm not a fan of the coloring of the Aussie version, and the sound design and soundtrack for the US version is definitely better IMO. I'd say the US version is warmer (and more familiar, probably because I'm American and not Aussie so its more recognizable) while the Aussie version is a bit cooler. And I think the opening credits are a bit more playful in the US version, which I like…though I do like the intensely DRAMATIC credits from the Aussie version. I think I like the US credits more because I'm a designer and it looks like something I'd create myself.
The events that happen in each episode seem to be different. The Aussie version seems more cynical while the US version doesn't seem quite as cynical. What I mean is that while I assume we're supposed to see these people as the kind of snobbish bourgeoisie people (in all their different forms) there seems to be element that also kinda leans into it and finds their lifestyle appealing. I think that's why the show sometimes gives off that "super cool downtown NY" vibe that (of course) the Aussie version doesn't focus on. And some of the character backgrounds and events seem more conventional in the US version than in the Aussie version. Like Anouk's situation in the end or Connie's home life.
Personally I don't hate or love either version, and the acting is fine in both. Though I don't know whats up with Melissa George's acting on the US version, she seems much more over the top and sniveling and I like Uma Thurman but I wasn't totally convinced in her episode.
I agree that Hector seems to be miscast after viewing both of the first episodes. Though I love Peter Sarsgaard, he doesn't really seem to fit the same persona or spaced that the original Hector has. He's very different.
I don't remember the U.S. credits, but I didn't like the Aussie ones. Otherwise, I disagree with your criticisms: I was really impressed with the cinematography of the Aussie version, especially given that it must have had a fairly small budget.
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Cool analysis. Given that the original focuses so much on boring suburban life, why do you think they relocated it to 'super cool downtown NY', instead of a more suburban area of the US?
shareWhere did you watch it? It used to be on the NBC website but now it's been taken down :( i'm no good at downloading stuff off the net.
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